CN112739388A

CN112739388A - Device for treating air

Info

Publication number: CN112739388A
Application number: CN201980059189.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 埃尔曼诺·法金; 曼努埃尔·法金; 埃里克·法金
Original assignee: 2zeta Ltd
Current assignee: 2zeta Ltd
Priority date: 2018-08-02
Filing date: 2019-08-01
Publication date: 2021-04-30
Anticipated expiration: 2039-08-01
Also published as: CN112739388B; IT201800007762A1; WO2020026183A1; EP3829661A1

Abstract

An apparatus (1) for treating air, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of treatment devices (10) for treating an air flow travelling through the plurality of treatment devices; -extraction means (11) for extracting air from an environment and generating an air flow along a treatment path (P) passing through a treatment device of said plurality of treatment devices (10) and releasing treated air into said environment, wherein said plurality of treatment devices comprises: at least one ultraviolet lamp (21) for irradiating said air stream and reducing the bacterial load of the air stream; a filtering unit (30) for filtering the air flow and reducing the particulate content thereof, the filtering unit (30) being arranged downstream of the ultraviolet lamp (21) on the treatment path (P); and a generator (35) for generating and introducing silver ions into the air, the generator (35) being arranged downstream of the filtration unit (30).

Description

Device for treating air

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an apparatus for treating air having the characteristics mentioned in the preamble of the main claim, particularly but not exclusively for treating air in an operating room or in an environment critical to maintaining high quality circulating air in general.

Background

In a hospital environment, it is desirable to maintain a high air quality in order to avoid transmission of infections.

Hospitals have specific regulations regarding the quality of air in various environments, depending on the activities performed in the hospital.

The risk of infection is high in hospitals and, conversely, the risk of infection must be minimized in order to protect patients present in hospitals.

It is well known that bacteria are transported by means of particulate matter and it is therefore desirable to reduce the particulate content of the air circulating in a hospital area, thereby reducing the bacterial load.

This problem is particularly felt in the operating theatre, where the bacterial load needs to be low in order to reduce the risk of post-operative infection.

The bacterial load in the operating room is directly related to the patient's risk of developing immediate postoperative infection.

98% of the bacteria come from the air and 30% of the bacteria deposit directly from the air onto the patient, while the remaining 70% reach the wound by means of the surgical instrument.

As surgical work begins, the air in the operating room becomes increasingly contaminated by the presence of the operator himself. The air carries the microorganisms towards the surgical wound and onto all the sterile objects that are attached to the operating table and in contact with the patient's tissues.

Hospital environments are provided with air filtration systems that provide air from the environment to be treated and filter the air by reintroducing purified air into the environment.

The filtering system will be in m of air³The hourly air quantity W, expressed by/h, is released into the hospital environment and the filtering system is calibrated to perform the hourly exchange quantity N of the prefix, where N ═ W/V, where V indicates the volume of the hospital environment to be treated.

The filtering system in the operating room is designed to introduce purified air directly onto the operating table, so that air with a higher quality than the extracted air reaches the operating table.

In particular, the particle content of the introduced zone is lower than the particle content of the extracted air.

Depending on the type of hospital environment, the law dictates that the filter system performs a certain number of air exchanges per hour of air, so that is to say a specific limit for the particulate matter content is guaranteed.

The general Community Act of the republic of 1/14 of 1997 states that the number of air exchanges N.gtoreq.15 per hour is limited for operating theatres by using only ambient air in order to limit the concentration of narcotics and other environmental pollutants.

Furthermore, the standard UNI EN ISO 146441-1 establishes limits on the mass of air in units of particles per cubic meter of air (particles/m 3 air) depending on the size of the particles and the type of work to be performed in the operating room.

When changing the work to be performed in the operating room, the number of particles of various permissible sizes will change.

In the surgical prosthesis operating theatre, also known as ISO-5, such as cardiac surgery, transplantation, orthopaedic surgery, neurosurgery and vascular surgery, the bacterial load must be very low in order to reduce the risk of post-operative infection.

Therefore, these systems must guarantee that the number of exchanges N per hour needs to be greater than 15 in the area directly affected by the column of air of the system.

These systems introduce air at the operating table by means of a unidirectional or laminar flow.

One drawback of the known system is that it offers less flexibility with respect to the variations of the environmental conditions present in the operating room to be treated.

Furthermore, these systems are fixed and sized based only on the dimensions of the room in which the system is installed.

One drawback of these systems is that they do not allow for an efficient treatment of air at a distance from the operating room.

Furthermore, these systems do not allow for efficient exchange of air throughout the environment of the operating room.

In fact, these systems release air above the operating table, which is diffused in a laminar way and after the air occupies the most sensitive parts of the room, i.e. the operating table itself, it is diffused, whereby the air loses speed and lifting power and cannot reach the zones that are further away from the operating table.

The efficiency of these systems at a distance from the operating table is also compromised by the operator himself and by the movement of the operator around the operating table.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for treating air which makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the cited prior art.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for treating air which can be installed in different environments to be treated and which allows the air in each of said environments to be treated effectively.

This problem is solved and this object is achieved by means of a treatment apparatus formed in accordance with the appended claims.

Drawings

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a treatment apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a variation of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with portions removed for clarity;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a detail of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the operation of a device according to the present invention; and

fig. 6 and 7 are schematic views of a processing unit obtained by means of the apparatus in fig. 1.

Detailed Description

In the drawings, 1 generally indicates a treatment apparatus formed in accordance with the present invention.

The treatment plant according to the invention can treat the air in the environment in which the plant is installed, which air has a smaller content of particles and bacteria than the extracted air, by releasing the treated air into the environment itself.

Particulate matter is today considered to be a more influential pollutant in urban areas and consists of solid and liquid particles dispersed in the atmosphere, the diameter of which particles ranges from only a few nanometers up to 500 μm and even higher.

In particular, the treatment device 1 is adapted to reduce the content of PM2.5, which PM2.5 is particulate matter formed by particles having a diameter of less than 2.5 μm.

PM2.5 particles are respirable and can penetrate deep into the lungs, especially when breathing through the mouth.

The particulate matter is particularly dangerous and it is desirable to minimize the content of the particulate matter in the air.

The apparatus 1 comprises a box-shaped body 2, which is substantially parallelepiped-shaped and is delimited by a lower base 2A facing the ground or a supporting surface of the apparatus 1 in use, an opposite upper base 2B and four lateral walls 3.

At least one of the lateral walls 3 of the body 2 can be removed for inspecting the inside of the body 2 and for performing potentially necessary maintenance and exchanges.

The apparatus 1 is also provided with wheels 4 which are coupled to the lower base 2A and allow the apparatus 1 to be moved towards the desired area of use. The wheel 4 is removable from the apparatus 1 so that it can be removed from the apparatus 1, for example in order to stack a plurality of processing apparatuses on top of each other. The wheels 4 are provided with brakes or locking elements, not shown in the figures, in order to lock them against undesired movements of the device 1.

Furthermore, the treatment plant 1 comprises a plurality of treatment devices 10 housed inside the body 2 and treating the air in the environment in which the plant is located, as explained in more detail below.

In at least one of the lateral walls 3 of the body 2 an inlet 5 is provided, which allows air to enter the inside of the body 2.

As indicated by the arrow F in the drawing, an outlet 6 is provided in the upper wall 2B, which allows the treated air to leave the body 2. The outlet 6 is provided with a plurality of deflectors 7 for directing the air flow away from the apparatus 1.

In other variants, the inlet or outlet may be provided in a wall different from the one shown, in particular the outlet may be provided in a lateral wall of the body 2.

In other variants of the treatment apparatus, separate inlets may be provided, which are arranged on the body 2 in different states and allow air to enter the treatment apparatus 1.

A control interface 8 is provided on one lateral wall 3 of the body 2 for setting the operation of the device 1.

Furthermore, the filtering device 1 comprises a control unit (not visible in the figures) operatively connected to the junction 8 and to the treatment means provided in the device 1, in order to control the operation of said treatment means.

A plurality of buttons are provided on the control interface 8 for setting the operation of the treatment apparatus.

The plurality of buttons include a power button 83 for turning on/off the processing apparatus 1.

The plurality of buttons 81 further includes an adjustment button 82 for adjusting the number of exchanges per hour N to be generated in the environment for the arrangement of the device.

This may adapt the device to different types of hospital areas requiring different amounts of air exchange.

The plurality of buttons 81 further comprises a selection button 84 for selecting and setting at least one threshold V1 at which the processing device 1 is activated/deactivated, as explained in more detail below.

In this way, it is possible to vary the quality of the air that can be obtained by means of the apparatus 1 and thus to adapt the treatment apparatus 1 for use in environments that require air quality with different particulate matter contents.

The plurality of buttons 81 further comprises a further selection button 85 for selecting and setting a second threshold value V2 at which the electrostatic filter of the treatment device 1 is activated/deactivated, as explained in more detail below.

The second threshold V2 is greater than the first threshold V1.

In another variant (not shown), the second threshold V2 may be selected using the selection button 84.

In another variant (not shown), the second threshold V2 may be preset based on characteristics of a filter present in the processing device, in order to prevent said filter from malfunctioning, as explained in more detail below.

One of the plurality of buttons 81 is operatively connected to the control unit for adjusting the operation of the processing device 1.

The treatment device 1 further comprises an actuation sensor 80 for measuring the concentration of particulate matter, in particular for measuring PM2.5, which PM2.5 is present in the air in the environment in which the device 1 is installed.

The actuation sensor 80 is operatively connected to the control unit.

When the level of particulate matter recorded in the environment by the actuation sensor 80 is greater than a first preset threshold V1, the control unit activates the treatment device 1 in order to treat the air in said environment.

In contrast, when the level of particulate matter recorded in the environment by the actuation sensor 80 is less than the first threshold value V1, the control unit deactivates the treatment device 1 by interrupting the operation.

The apparatus of the invention further comprises at least one environmental sensor 50 which measures the dimensions of the environment in which the processing apparatus 1 is located.

The environment sensor 50 is preferably a laser sensor and measures the dimensions of the environment in which the device 1 is located.

In a variant (not shown), the device comprises a plurality of ambient laser sensors.

The environment sensor 50 is a laser sensor emitting low intensity laser radiation, the environment sensor 50 emitting three direct laser signals along three separate axes of a cartesian reference and measuring the distance of the sensor from a first obstacle, e.g. a wall, along three cartesian axes.

In this way, the maximum distance of the environment sensor 50 from the wall can be measured, and therefore, the approximate volume of the environment in which the processing device 1 is located can be measured.

The environmental sensor 50 is operatively connected to the control unit so as to vary, based on the measurements performed, the rate of: at which air is extracted from the apparatus of the invention and emitted thereby.

The control unit of the device 1 receives the measured signal from the environmental sensor 50 and adapts the extraction rate and thus the air flow emitted from the device 1 according to the measured dimensions.

This adjustment is made so as to guarantee the number N of exchanges per hour preset by the user by means of the selection button 82.

In a preferred variant, the control unit is configured for operating the device 1 at three different extraction rates, based on the size of the area measured by the sensor 50 and on the number of exchanges per hour N preset by the user.

This makes it possible to adapt the operation of the device 1 to the actual dimensions of the environment in which the device 1 is installed and also to ensure that the number N of exchanges per hour, preset by the user, is in different dimensions from one another.

In other variants, the device 1 may operate with a plurality of extraction rate values.

In a preferred variant, the environmental sensor 50 is provided on a telescopic arm 51 positioned on the outside of the body 2.

The telescopic arm 51 is fixed to the body 2 at a first end thereof and supports the environmental sensor 50 at a second end longitudinally opposite the first end.

The telescopic arm 51 is movable between an extended measuring configuration, in which the environmental sensor 50 is actuated to measure the dimensions of the environment in which the apparatus 1 is located, and a retracted rest configuration, in which the telescopic arm is retracted and the environmental sensor is arranged close to the body 2.

In one variant, the telescopic arm is positioned in a cavity in the body 2 so that it does not protrude from the overall dimensions of the body 2 when it is retracted.

This protects the environmental sensor 50 when the environmental sensor 50 is not in use.

When the device is opened, the telescopic arm 51 is automatically guided into the extended measuring configuration, so that the dimensions of the environment in which the device is located can be measured and thus the function of the device 1 itself can be adjusted.

After the dimensions have been measured, the telescopic arm 51 is retracted into the retracted rest configuration.

Furthermore, the apparatus according to the invention comprises extraction means 11 positioned inside the body 2 and extracting air via the inlet 5 and moving it along the treatment path P via one of the plurality of treatment means 10 so that it can be treated.

The extraction means 11 are preferably positioned near the extraction opening 5.

Furthermore, the processing device 1 comprises a drive motor for actuating the extraction means 11 and/or for operating the processing device 1.

In a variant (not shown), the apparatus of the invention further comprises ventilation means positioned at the outlet 6 and pushing the treated air out of the apparatus 1.

The air to be treated enters the body 2 via the above-mentioned inlet 5 by means of the extraction device 11, is guided along the treatment path P by means of a treatment device of a plurality of treatment devices 10 arranged inside the body 2, so that the air to be treated is filtered and treated and is thus released from the body 2 by means of the outlet 6.

Each of the plurality of treatment devices 10 performs a different operation to treat the air to be treated so as to convey the treated air, which has a bacteria content lower than that of the inlet air and a particulate content lower than that of the inlet air, to the outside via the outlet 6.

The plurality of treatment devices 10 comprises UV lamps 21 arranged to irradiate the air moving along the treatment path P so as to reduce the bacterial load of this air.

In a preferred variant, the ultraviolet lamp 21 is a UV-C lamp.

In a variant, the apparatus may be provided with a plurality of ultraviolet lamps positioned to treat the extracted air inside the body 2.

UV radiation has an effective bactericidal effect on pathogens present in the extracted air, and in particular, UV-C radiation is more so.

Ultraviolet radiation is electromagnetic radiation having a shorter wavelength than visible light. UV light can be classified into various categories, short wave category (UV-C), and it exerts bactericidal action at specific wavelengths and can destroy bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms.

At a wavelength of 2537 angstroms (254nm), ultraviolet radiation destroys molecular bonds of the DNA of the microorganism, thereby producing thymine dimers in the DNA of the microorganism and destroying the microorganism, thereby rendering the microorganism harmless or preventing the growth and reproduction of the microorganism.

The presence of UV lamps with germicidal action is particularly important for reducing the bacterial load in the air to be treated.

In fact, it is particularly important to ensure the proper hygiene of the air circulating in the internal environment of a hospital building or nursing home.

The ultraviolet lamp can achieve 99.999% microbial failure efficiency.

The uv light 21 can inactivate gram negative and gram positive microorganisms and reduce the presence of streptococci and staphylococci, particularly in a hospital setting.

Thus, the ultraviolet lamp 21 may destroy: various microorganisms, such as viruses, that cause the spread of diseases such as influenza; gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria causing various diseases; allergens and pathogens from mites that cause rhinitis, cough, asthma, etc.; plant pollen and tree pollen; and (3) mould spores.

The plurality of treatment devices 10 further comprises a filter unit 30 for filtering the air to be treated in order to reduce the content of particulate matter in the air to be treated.

The apparatus 1 further comprises a pre-filter 22 arranged upstream of the filtering unit 30, for optimizing the air flow entering the filtering unit 30, so as to maximize the diffusion of the air through the filtering unit 30 and the filtering action itself.

The air flow travelling in the treatment device 1 passes through the pre-filter 22, which causes the air flow to be turbulent or semi-turbulent upstream of the filtering unit 30. This may maximize the filtering effect.

The filtering unit 30 also comprises a HEPA filter 31 (high efficiency particulate air filter) having a degree of efficiency between H10 and H14, measured according to standard UNI EN 1822, and filtering the air to be treated.

HEPA filters can filter air by treating contaminating solid particles present in the air to be treated.

HEPA filters are classified on the basis of filtration efficiency of 0.3 μm particles according to the standard UNI EN 1822 and are classified into 5 classes (from H10 to H14) with growth performance characteristics.

In the apparatus of the invention, a high efficiency HEPA filter is preferably used, the filtration efficiency of which is preferably between 85% (H10) and 99.995% (H14).

The apparatus 1 further comprises a further HEPA filter 32, which further HEPA filter 32 is arranged downstream of the HEPA filter 31 along the processing path P.

The additional HEPA filter 32 is provided with a filter element made of activated carbon.

When the air to be treated passes through the additional filter 32, it treats the odours present in said air and catalyses the amount of ozone released by the electrical systems present in the environment to be treated.

Thus, the additional filter 32 can reduce the odor and ozone content of the air to be treated.

The filter unit 30 further comprises an electrostatic filter 33, preferably comprising a plate. These types of filters generally have effective filtration performance and good ventilation characteristics.

An electrostatic filter with high particulate separation efficiency (<1 micron) is used to intercept the particulate matter present in the air to be treated, even if the particulate matter has a minimum size.

An electrostatic filter with a moderate pressure drop, preferably < 20Pa at 2m/s, is advantageously chosen.

Laboratory tests have shown that electrostatic filters are highly effective in destroying bacteria, in particular micrococcus luteus, rhodiola rosea and moulds.

Electronic and electrostatic filters can separate particles present in air by ionizing said particles, thereby generating an electric field formed by the opposite surfaces subjected to a suitable voltage.

The electrostatic filter 33 is advantageously an electrostatic filter having two stages through which the air to be filtered travels in succession.

In the first stage, the air to be filtered first travels through the first stage, generating a strong electric field, which is achieved by means of plates having a high potential difference.

As the dust particles pass through the stage, they become positively charged.

The positive ions generated by the corona discharge of the polarizing electrode intercept the polluting particles travelling in the air to be treated by providing them with a positive charge, which will promote the separation of said particles from the air flow and therefore the adhesion of said particles to the subsequent foil with opposite polarity.

The air then reaches a second stage in which a plurality of plates with negative potential are arranged. In the second stage, the potential difference between the plates causes positively charged particles in the first stage to agglomerate.

This simultaneously prevents the formation of ozone in the air stream, which is unacceptable in air conditioning systems that release air into the environment.

In the electrostatic filter 33 of the present invention, it is preferable to use metal plates which are arranged side by side in the direction of the treatment path of the air to be treated and are positioned at a predetermined distance selected based on the applied voltage.

Contaminant particles passing between the plates are attracted by the opposite charge of the plates and are processed on the plates themselves.

The structure of the first stage of the electrostatic filter 33 is advantageously fixed to the body 2 of the apparatus 1 or integral with the body 2 of the apparatus 1.

The second stage plate, which can receive and process the particles and thus become dirty, can move relative to the structure of the body 2.

In this way, the plate can be easily removed from the device 1 for cleaning, thereby in fact regenerating the electrostatic filter 33.

When the plates of the electrostatic filter are saturated with particles, the plates can be removed and cleaned using a common cleaning agent, thereby simply regenerating the filtering capacity of the electrostatic filter 33.

The plates are typically made of aluminum, preferably extruded aluminum.

The electrostatic filter 33 is positioned inside the filtering unit 30 so as to be operatively arranged between the ultraviolet lamp 21 and the filter 31, so as to receive air from the ultraviolet lamp 21 and send the air to the filter 31.

The electrostatic filter 33 is operatively connected to the control unit so as to be activated/deactivated on the basis of the measurement results obtained by the actuation sensor 80.

The control unit enables the operation of the electrostatic filter 33 when the level of particulate matter measured by the actuation sensor 80 in the environment in which the apparatus is located is greater than a second threshold value V2.

In contrast, when the level of particulate matter measured in the environment by the actuation sensor 80 is less than the second threshold value V2, the control unit stops the operation of the electrostatic filter 33.

The first threshold V1 of the activation/deactivation device is smaller than the second threshold V2 of the activation or deactivation of the electrostatic filter 33.

In this way, the device 1 is enabled when the values for the PM2.5 concentration are greater than the first threshold V1, the electrostatic filter 33 is also enabled if these values are also greater than the second threshold V2, otherwise the electrostatic filter does not perform filtering.

In particular, when the content of particulate matter in the air to be treated is less than the second threshold value V2 set by the user, the electrostatic filter 33 is not used, and the air to be treated does not pass through the electrostatic filter 33 but is sent directly from the ultraviolet lamp 21 to the filter 31.

In contrast, when the particulate matter content in the air to be treated is greater than the second threshold value V2, the air to be treated first passes through the electrostatic filter 33 so as to be filtered, and then passes through the filter 31.

This allows the filtering efficiency of the filtering unit 30 to be increased, thus avoiding blockages in the filter 31 and ensuring an effective destruction of the particles present in the air to be treated.

The presence of an electrostatic filter upstream of the filter 31 makes it possible to prevent damage and very frequent clogging of the filter 31.

At the same time, when the particulate matter content is less than the second threshold value V2, an useless pressure drop of the filter unit 30 is avoided by deactivating the electrostatic filter 33.

For this purpose, the treatment apparatus 1 comprises, upstream of the electrostatic filter 33, diverting means for causing the air to be treated to pass through the electrostatic filter 33, or for preventing the air from passing through the electrostatic filter 33 and sending it directly to the filter 31.

The HEPA filter 31 is positioned to receive air from the electrostatic filter 33 (assuming the filter is used), or directly from the ultraviolet lamp 21.

The filter unit 30 further comprises a generating means 35 for generating silver ions in the air stream moving in the filter unit 30.

The generating means 35 is positioned close to the outlet 6 for generating silver ions in the gas flow leaving the outlet 6.

The generating means 35 comprises a battery and a silver wire fastened between two opposing electrodes in order to generate silver ions when an air flow passes through the generating means.

These ions are introduced into the air leaving the outlet 6.

This may result in a reduced bacterial load that may be present in the outlet air.

The presence of the electric field may increase the antimicrobial effect of the electrode having silver nanostructures.

In the variant shown in fig. 2, the device of the invention also comprises a connecting element 70 positioned on the upper base 2B of the body 2.

The connector 70 may be fixed to the upper base 2B or removably coupled thereto.

The connector 70 is hollow on the inside to allow passage of air. The connection 70 has a circular shape so as to divert the air flow leaving the outlet 6.

In the illustrated variant, the connection 70 is shaped so as to divert the air flow so as to generate a flow having a substantially horizontal direction, as indicated by the arrow F1.

By changing the shape and position of the connection 70, a flow having a desired introduction direction can be generated.

In case the device 1 is positioned close to the operating table, it is particularly advisable to use the deflector 70 in order to generate the treated air flow directly towards the operating table.

The device 1 of the invention is a modular device provided with connecting elements for connecting a plurality of processing devices 1 to each other.

The various treatment devices may be side by side or arranged one on top of the other in order to form a unit 100 for treating air with a desired number of treatment devices according to the invention, such as the treatment units 100, 100' shown in fig. 6 and 7, respectively.

This makes it possible to generate a greater air flow and thus also to effectively treat air in an environment of large dimensions.

For this purpose, a connecting element may be provided which connects the devices to one another, so that a treatment path P' for air passing through a desired number of treatment devices is generated.

In other variants, the processing devices of the same processing unit 100, 100' may operate independently of each other.

The apparatus of the present invention can purify air by greatly reducing the content of fine and ultra-fine dusts (<1 μm) and bacterial components present in the environment.

The device of the invention is suitable for environments with different dimensions, preferably for surfaces with a size not greater than 200 mq.

The combined action of the filtering means 10 present in the apparatus 1 of the invention makes it possible to extract the polluted air from the environment in which it is installed, filter it and reduce its bacterial load, and introduce it into said environment.

The device of the invention may be installed in any area of the environment to be treated, in particular the device of the invention may be positioned on a wall of the environment and/or on a wall of the extraction access opening and/or on a pressure tap installed in the environment. This makes it possible to treat the air in areas that are difficult to reach by a centralized system.

The device of the present invention can achieve these effects without substantially modifying the operating room or system present in the device of the present invention.

Furthermore, this placement makes it possible to exploit the effect of the extraction entry port in order to increase the ventilation effect that can be obtained by means of the device of the invention.

The filtration efficiency obtainable with the device of the invention makes it possible to avoid the use of ambient air.

In other words, the environment for the device to draw in air is the same as the environment for the device to reintroduce filtered air after filtering the air.

This advantage is achieved by simultaneously maintaining the concentration of the contaminants at a level that does not represent a risk to the health of the occupants, even for higher internal production rates.

All this also saves a lot of energy, in particular due to the conditioning and treatment of a smaller amount of ambient air, and therefore has a smaller size of the thermal unit in the environment in which the device of the invention is located.

The device of the present invention is also suitable for placement in an operating room in addition to, or in place of, an already existing air filtration system.

By varying the amount of air exchange generated by the processing equipment, the equipment can be adapted to various hospital areas requiring different degrees of air quality.

The invention thus solves the technical problem addressed and allows to achieve many advantages, including those set out above.

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for treating air, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of treatment devices (10) arranged for treating an air flow travelling through the plurality of treatment devices; -extraction means (11) for extracting air from an environment and generating an air flow along a treatment path (P) passing through a treatment device of said plurality of treatment devices (10) and releasing treated air (F, F1) into said environment, wherein said plurality of treatment devices comprises: at least one ultraviolet lamp (21) for irradiating the air stream and reducing the bacterial load of the air stream; a filtering unit (30) for filtering the air flow and reducing the particulate content thereof, the filtering unit (30) being arranged downstream of the ultraviolet lamp (21) on the treatment path (P); and a generator (35) for generating and introducing silver ions into the air, the generator (35) being arranged downstream of the filter unit (30).

2. An apparatus (1) for treating air, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of treatment devices (10) for treating an air flow travelling through the plurality of treatment devices; -extraction means (11) for extracting air from an environment and generating an air flow along a treatment path (P) passing through a treatment device of said plurality of treatment devices (10) and releasing treated air (F, F1) into said environment, wherein said plurality of treatment devices comprises: at least one ultraviolet lamp (21) for irradiating the air stream and reducing the bacterial load of the air stream; a filtering unit (30) for filtering the air flow and reducing the particulate content thereof, the filtering unit (30) being arranged downstream of the ultraviolet lamp (21) on the treatment path (P); and a generator (35) for generating and introducing silver ions into the air, the generator (35) being arranged downstream of the filter unit (30), wherein the processing device further comprises an environment sensor (50) for measuring a dimension of the environment.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the filter unit (30) comprises a HEPA filter (31), preferably the filter unit (30) comprises an H10-H14 filter for reducing the particulate matter content in the air.

4. The apparatus of the preceding claim, wherein the filtering unit (30) comprises a further HEPA filter (32) arranged downstream of the filter (31) and provided with activated carbon for reducing the ozone content and odor in the air.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the filtering unit (30) comprises an electrostatic filter (33) arranged upstream of the filter (31) for reducing the amount of particulate matter in the air.

6. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a control unit for controlling the operation of the device (1).

7. The apparatus of the preceding claim, wherein the control unit operates the apparatus at three different extraction rates based on the size of the area measured by the environmental sensor (50) and the desired number of air exchanges per hour (N).

8. Apparatus according to the preceding claim, further comprising an actuation sensor (80) for measuring the amount of particulate matter present in the environment in which the apparatus is located, the actuation sensor (80) being operatively connected to the control unit so as to enable/disable the operation of the apparatus (1) in the event that the measured content of particulate matter is greater/less than a threshold value (V1).

9. Apparatus according to claim 7, when claim 6 is appended to claim 5, wherein said control unit is operatively connected to said electrostatic filter (33) so as to enable/disable the operation of said electrostatic filter (33) in the event that said content of particles measured by said actuation sensor (80) is greater/less than a further threshold value (V2) greater than said threshold value (V1).

10. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the environmental sensor (50) is a laser sensor, the environmental sensor (50) being operatively connected to the control unit for adjusting the operation of the device (1) based on measurements performed by the environmental sensor (50).

11. The device according to the preceding claim, wherein the environmental sensor (50) is positioned on a telescopic arm (51) positioned on the body (2) of the device.

12. Apparatus as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein said telescopic arm (51) is movable between an extended measuring configuration, in which said environmental sensor (50) is actuated, and a retracted rest configuration, in which said telescopic arm is retracted and said environmental sensor (50) is arranged close to said body (2).

13. A treatment unit (100, 100') for treating air in an environment in which the unit is installed, the treatment unit comprising a plurality of interconnected treatment devices (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.